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Get your Baggy Trousers on and head to the House of Fun as Madness musical OUR HOUSE is coming to Blackpool Opera House in 2017.

Starring Blackpool’s very own Linda Nolan, the Olivier Award-winning show will run at the Opera House from Monday 9 to Saturday 14 October.

Tickets priced form £15 go on sale at 10am Friday November 18 and are available from www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

OUR HOUSE will be produced by Immersion Theatre Company and Damien Tracey Productions and features the music of ska music pioneers Madness.

On the night of his 16^th birthday, Joe Casey takes the girl of his dreams, Sarah, out on their first date. In an effort to impress her with bravado, Joe breaks into a building site overlooking his home on Casey Street. When the police turn up, a split-second decision forces him to choose between himself and his heart as the story splits in two: one which sees Joe stay to face the music, and the other which sees him flee and leave Sarah to run from the police. As two very different paths unfold before him, the consequences of that choice will change his life forever.

Tim Firth, the writer of smash hits Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots and OUR HOUSE, said: “Madness are unique in that they wrote songs about home and hearth, about growing up, never growing up, having and not having, rising and falling.

“They came from London but they spoke to every corner of the nation, and they certainly spoke to me, growing up in the North West. All this they did undercover of songs that fooled you into thinking they were just catchy, danceable and funny. This quality is for me at the heart of what musical theatre should aim to be.

“In a sense, Madness started writing a musical 25 years ago. It was colourful, truthful, vibrant, witty and universal. It was just up to me to find it.”

Speaking about her role Linda Nolan said: “I couldn’t be happier about playing Kath Casey in OUR HOUSE. I’ve always loved Madness’s music. It spreads warmth throughout the soul, and finds joy in the everyday and ordinary. It’s a perfect partner to Tim’s wonderfully madcap story of love and locals.”

No stranger to the stage, actress and singer Linda has starred as Mrs Johnstone in the award winning musical Blood Brothers both on tour in the UK and in London’s West End. In addition to enjoying worldwide success with her sisters in the family act, The Nolans, Linda and the group toured the UK and Ireland in 2015 with their I’m In The Mood Again tour, and performed on BBC’s Children In Need.

OUR HOUSE was first staged at the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End from October 2002 to August 2003 and won the 2003 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. This tour will be directed by Immersion Theatre’s James Tobias and choreographed by the resident choreographer of Matilda The Musical, Fabian Aloise.

British champion boxer Scott Cardle swapped the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo for a night sleeping rough under the stars.

But before you think the reigning Lightweight Champion has fallen on hard times it was all in the name of charity.

Scott took part in the annual Glasgow Sleep Out at Celtic Park stadium in aid of the Celtic FC Foundation.

The undefeated champion, his girlfriend Carlie Firth and father Joe joined 100 other hardy souls as they huddled together in freezing temperatures to raise money for the Foundation’s Christmas Appeal which helps the homeless and local families who face poverty and hardship.

Scott had been due to fly out to Monte Carlo to watch his good friend Stephen Smith fight for a world title, but opted to stay in the UK to help a charity that is very close to his heart.

Scott said: “It was really hard work, a very cold eight hours but I’m so glad I did it. The Foundation was looking to raise more than £60,000 on the on the night through sponsorship to help homeless people.

“I would be lying if I didn’t say there was the odd moment when I thought to myself I could have been sunning myself in Monte Carlo, but I am delighted myself, Carlie and my dad were able to do our bit for such a wonderful cause.”

Although born and bred in Lytham, near Blackpool, Scott’s family hails from Scotland and Glasgow is a second home for the Celtic-obsessed boxer who has fervent support north of the border. Last month he defended his British title at Glasgow’s SSE Arena with a stoppage win over Kevin Hooper.

Scott, Carlie and Joe’s efforts during Sunday’s Sleep Out saw the three of them raise more than £1,000.

Scott, 27, added: “I want to thank all those people here on the Fylde coast who sponsored the three of us. This money raised will make a difference to people’s lives.

“I am so glad we could do our bit… and think we’ve just about thawed out now!”

A spokesman for the Celtic Foundation said: “Celtic FC Foundation would like to thank each and every participant for their phenomenal efforts and all of those who supported them along the way. You have made a genuine difference to the lives of the most vulnerable in our community.

“The 100 participants have already raised a magnificent total in the region of £65,000. All funds raised will support our 2016 Christmas Appeal and is one of a series of fundraising initiatives for this year’s Appeal.

To celebrate the release of his incredible new album “Just…Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll“, the UK’s most successful hit-maker, Cliff Richard, will be heading out on a summer tour.

The tour visits the UK’s most beautiful castles and historic locations in 2017 for a series of fully seated outdoor concerts in fabulous intimate arenas, built especially for Cliff Richard and his fans.

Tickets will go on general sale on Monday 14^th November from www.livenation.co.uk

Cliff has returned to his roots to record an album of his favourite songs from the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll. These include Cliff’s renditions of seminal tracks such as Roll Over Beethoven, Great Balls of Fire, Sweet Little Sixteen and his very own debut single, Move It.

The album also features a duet with fellow idol Elvis Presley on Blue Suede Shoes. This has been a career long dream of Cliff’s, which now becomes reality. The new release follows the huge success of his last studio album, ‘The Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll Songbook’ in 2013, and the celebratory ’75 at 75 – 75 Career Spanning Hits’ in 2015.

Cliff released his debut single Move It in August 1958. It is credited with being the first British rock ‘n’ roll hit, bringing what had previously been an American genre across the Atlantic, for the first time. ‘Just… Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll’ will, astonishingly, be his 102^nd album.

The ‘Just Fabulous Rock ‘n’ Roll Tour’ will stop by the following UK venues through June and July 2017:

SIR CLIFF RICHARD JUST FABULOUS ROCK ‘n’ ROLL UK 2017 TOUR

JUNE

Saturday 17^th               Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire

Sunday 18^th                  Stansted Park, Hampshire

Wednesday 21^st           Walcot Hall, Shropshire

Thursday 22^nd              Catton Hall, Derbyshire

Saturday 24^th                Lincoln Castle, Lincolnshire

Sunday 25^th                  Euston Hall, Suffolk

Wednesday 28^th           Harewood House, Leeds

Thursday 29th             Open Air Theatre, Scarborough

JULY

 Saturday 1^st                  Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich London

Sunday 2^nd                   Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich London

Get your Baggy Trousers on and head to the House of Fun as Madness musical OUR HOUSE is coming to Blackpool Opera House in 2017.

Starring Blackpool’s very own Linda Nolan, the Olivier Award-winning show will run at the Opera House from Monday 9 to Saturday 14 October.

Tickets priced form £15 go on sale at 10am Friday November 18 and are available from www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

OUR HOUSE will be produced by Immersion Theatre Company and Damien Tracey Productions and features the music of ska music pioneers Madness.

On the night of his 16^th birthday, Joe Casey takes the girl of his dreams, Sarah, out on their first date. In an effort to impress her with bravado, Joe breaks into a building site overlooking his home on Casey Street. When the police turn up, a split-second decision forces him to choose between himself and his heart as the story splits in two: one which sees Joe stay to face the music, and the other which sees him flee and leave Sarah to run from the police. As two very different paths unfold before him, the consequences of that choice will change his life forever.

Tim Firth, the writer of smash hits Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots and OUR HOUSE, said: “Madness are unique in that they wrote songs about home and hearth, about growing up, never growing up, having and not having, rising and falling.

 “They came from London but they spoke to every corner of the nation, and they certainly spoke to me, growing up in the North West. All this they did undercover of songs that fooled you into thinking they were just catchy, danceable and funny. This quality is for me at the heart of what musical theatre should aim to be.

 “In a sense, Madness started writing a musical 25 years ago. It was colourful, truthful, vibrant, witty and universal. It was just up to me to find it.”

 Speaking about her role Linda Nolan said: “I couldn’t be happier about playing Kath Casey in OUR HOUSE. I’ve always loved Madness’s music. It spreads warmth throughout the soul, and finds joy in the everyday and ordinary. It’s a perfect partner to Tim’s wonderfully madcap story of love and locals.”

No stranger to the stage, actress and singer Linda has starred as Mrs Johnstone in the award winning musical Blood Brothers both on tour in the UK and in London’s West End. In addition to enjoying worldwide success with her sisters in the family act, The Nolans, Linda and the group toured the UK and Ireland in 2015 with their I’m In The Mood Again tour, and performed on BBC’s Children In Need.

OUR HOUSE was first staged at the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End from October 2002 to August 2003 and won the 2003 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. This tour will be directed by Immersion Theatre’s James Tobias and choreographed by the resident choreographer of Matilda The Musical, Fabian Aloise.

Blackpool Winter Gardens has been named Lancashire’s best conference venue for the third time at the county’s Tourism Awards.

The Winter Gardens team was presented with the title as Lancashire’s tourism stars were recognised at Marketing Lancashire’s annual awards evening at Blackburn Cathedral – the county’s foremost celebration of tourism excellence.

The Winter Gardens will now represent Lancashire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2016.

Conferences and events at the Winter Gardens in 2016 generated an estimated £32 million revenue for the local economy with many thousands of delegates and visitors staying overnight at resort hotels.

Michael Williams, managing director of the Winter Gardens, said: “This award is wonderful recognition for the whole Winter Gardens team who put in so much hard work and dedication to make this fantastic venue such a popular one with the organisers of large events and conferences.

“We have some of the most wonderful and historic facilities available anywhere in the UK and this is the reason why so many organisations want to host their events in Blackpool.

“Millions of pounds have been invested in the careful restoration and modernisation of our conference and event offering which bodes very well for the future and to receive this recognition is fantastic.

“We look forward to now representing Blackpool and Lancashire on the national stage once again and continuing to hosting first class conferences and events in 2017.”

Among the events to have been hosted at the Winter Gardens in 2016 have been the European Dance Championship, Junior Dance Festival, USDAW annual conference, National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs convention, the National Pensioners Convention’s Pensioner’s Parliament, the International Soul Festival, the PDC World Matchplay, Rebellion (Punk Festival), 65th Annual Blackpool Magic Convention and The British Homing World Show of the Year

Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “A thriving visitor economy makes such a difference to a place. The Lancashire visitor economy is worth £3.8 billion annually and continues to grow year after year. I believe we have the people, the products and above all else the right attitude to get this county noticed and appreciated. We must be very proud of the many outstanding people and individuals here at these awards, that represent the best of what Lancashire tourism has to offer.”

It’s time to dig out your drainpipes and Bobby socks as West End sell-out sensation DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS is heading to Blackpool Winter Gardens in 2017.

Inspired by the smash hit multi-million selling albums Dreamboats and Petticoats One, Two, Three, Four and Five, DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS The Musical will run at Blackpool Opera House from Monday 24 to Saturday April 30.

Tickets priced from £17 go on sale at 10am Friday November 11 and are available from www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

Produced by Bill Kenwright, the hit musical features some of the greatest songs of the Rock ‘n’ Roll era including classic tracks from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury and many more.

In 1961 emotions run high as young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win a national song writing competition – and, more importantly, the attention of the gorgeous Sue! But when Bobby discovers that shy Laura is no slouch on the piano, love and rock ‘n’ roll fame beckons.

Winter Gardens Managing Director Michael Williams said: “Dreamboats and Petticoats is a fantastic show to welcome to the Winter Gardens next year.

“This is one of the ultimate feel-good shows and is guaranteed to get audiences up on their feet and dancing in the aisles.

“This may be the music of the 50s and 60s but Dreamboats has a wide appeal and whether you want to reminisce about a bygone era or you are hearing this music for the first time, you are certain of having a great time.”

The announcement DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS THE MUSICAL is to come to Blackpool Winter Gardens next year follows previous announcements for 2017 which will see Sister Act, Hairspray, La Cage Aux Folles, The Wedding Singer, Wonderland and Cirque Berserk among the shows at the historic venue. Smash hit musical Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage will also return for a week following a successful three-week run at the theatre this summer.

DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS The Musical features a string of hits from the 50s and 60s including Let’s Dance, To Know Him Is To Love Him, Shaking All Over, Bobby’s Girl, Little Town Flirt, Only Sixteen, Runaround Sue, Happy Birthday Sweet 16, Let It Be Me, Great Pretender, C’mon Everybody and Let’s Twist Again.

For more information and to buy tickets go to www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

UK audiences are set to be wowed by song as international choir The 100 Voices of Gospel announces it will add three UK dates to its World Tour in 2017.

The internationally-renowned gospel choir will play dates in London, Newcastle and Blackburn in April.

They came to prominence to UK audiences as finalists in Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year.

Tickets to the UK concerts priced from £19.50 go on sale at 10am Monday October 31 and are available from www.seetickets.com

Blackburn King George’s Hall – Sunday April 23

London Lyceum Theatre – Monday April 24

Newcastle Theatre Royal – Tuesday April 25

Since its inception in 1998, The 100 Voices of Gospel has travelled across the world sharing its passion, faith and love for gospel with captivated and loyal audiences.   The popularity of this excellent choir continues to grow and it has become one of the most famous in the world.

Speaking about the UK dates the choir’s producer Jean-Baptiste Guyon said: “It is a great honour for “The 100 Voices of Gospel” to sing in England.

“The public reception and judges of “Britain’s Got Talent” will remain engraved in our memories throughout our lives.

“The 100 Voices of Gospel” is more than a simple concert and it’s more than just a choir. It is above all a great show (the biggest tour in Europe with 130 people on the road) that combines singing, music and dance.

“We will offer you the best we can for you to share a moment that we hope will be unforgettable.”

Earlier this year, The 100 Voices of Gospel wowed Britain’s Got Talent audiences with judge Alesha Dixon declaring them as her “Golden Buzzer” act which secured them an immediate place in the live finals.

The UK dates are presented by music and event promoters Cuffe & Taylor. Director Peter Taylor said he is thrilled to be able to promote the choir’s only UK shows.

Peter said: “The 100 Voices of Gospel are an incredibly exciting choir so we are delighted to be able to work with them on their World Tour.

“This performances will be a magical experience for audiences and will be enjoyed by young and old alike.

“With just three UK dates these tickets are likely to be very popular so I would urge people to get their tickets as soon as possible.”

Tickets to the UK concerts go on sale at 10am Monday October 31 and are available from www.seetickets.com

Bay City Rollers super fans are being invited to see the pop legends perform in Blackpool 42 years after they played the very same venue.

The band played the Empress Ballroom in 1974 and anyone who still has their original ticket can take advantage of a half-price ticket offer and see them for just £16.25 when they return to Blackpool on Friday December 16.

The original 1974 tickets were priced at £1.10 but are now collectors’ items with sellers on online market place eBay selling them for almost 20 times their face value – however the band want to give fans who came to the gig the chance to relive the experience in 2016.

Bay City Rollers Frontman Les McKeown said: “We can’t believe that it has been 42 years since we played the Empress Ballroom the first time around and we want to see as many of our loyal fans there as possible.

“We want the Rollers’ super fans who have followed us since the original days of Rollermania the chance to experience it the second time around and have a Shang-a-lang-a-Xmas party with us in Blackpool.”

Full price tickets for The Rollers’ Shang-a-lang-a-Xmas Party at the Empress Ballroom are priced from £32.50 and are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Les will be joined on stage by original Bay City Rollers members Alan Longmuir and Stuart “Woody” Wood who have reunited for the Christmas dates.

Super fans who want to take advantage of this special offer should take a selfie holding their original 1974 ticket for the Bay City Rollers at Blackpool Winter Gardens and post it on the Cuffe & Taylor Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cuffeandtaylor to receive their discount.

The rollers first came to fame in the 1970s with a string of hits which are still loved across the land including Shang-a-lang, Remember and their cover of Four Seasons hit Bye Bye Baby.

Throughout their career they have performed as far afield as Japan and their 2015 Christmas dates saw sell out audiences reliving ‘Rollermania’ across the UK.

The band is also enjoying increasing popularity with a new generation having performed at Lytham Festival and T in the Park this summer.

The Bay City Rollers will be joined in Blackpool with special guests and fellow 70’s icons Sweet., and together will make it a Shang-a-lang-a-Xmas to remember.

Full price tickets for The Rollers’ Shang-a-lang-a-Xmas Party at the Empress Ballroom are priced from £32.50 and are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk

The nation’s first statue celebrating the comedy genius of Morecambe and Wise has been unveiled at Blackpool’s world famous Winter Gardens.

The stunning 8ft tall bronzed statue – created by renowned sculptor Graham Ibbeson – was unveiled by Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise’s families at the Winter Gardens this morning in front of hundreds of adoring fans.

Eric and Ernie performed in Blackpool more than 1,000 times in their career and the statue was commissioned to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of Britain’s best loved comedy double act first appearing on stage together in 1941.

Eric’s widow Joan, who was joined at today’s unveiling ceremony by eldest son Gary, daughter Gail and a representative for Ernie’s widow Doreen, said: “The statue is simply wonderful, Graham has really captured Eric and Ernie to perfection.

“For it to be unveiled here in Blackpool, where I personally have so many happy memories of Eric and Ernie and our families together down the years, is very fitting. This has been a really special day I will remember forever.”

Gary Morecambe added: “Blackpool was Eric and Ernie’s spiritual home, their careers really took off here, and to see them together again in this wonderful tribute is fantastic.

“Graham is a brilliant artist and the likeness to my father and Ernie is stunning. I am sure fans of Eric and Ernie, indeed everyone who sees it, will get a big thrill out of it.

“I think my father would have been gobsmacked by the whole idea of a statue. The fact it is here in Blackpool would have been a huge thing for both Eric and Ernie as it is a town they had so much success in and affection for.”

Sculptor Graham Ibbeson said: “It has been an absolute honour and a privilege for me to bring Morecambe and Wise – two of my all-time heroes – together again with this new statue which I am incredibly proud of.

“Eric and Ernie were able to bring the nation together through their genius and laughter and this statue celebrates them as they should be, a double act which Britain and the world took to their hearts.”

Michael Williams, Winter Gardens Managing Director, said: “This is a very special day for both the millions of fans of Morecambe and Wise and Blackpool.

“Eric and Ernie performed in Blackpool more than 1,000 times during their career and it is especially fitting that this stunning new statue has been unveiled here, which is regarded by their family and friends as the boys ‘spiritual home’.

“We are sure this wonderful tribute will become a must-see for comedy fans the world over.”

The statue, which has been funded through donations of £75,000, will be on permanent display in the spectacular domed entrance to the Winter Gardens.

Sculptor Graham Ibbeson has a long history with Eric and Ernie having also created the Eric Morecambe statue which was unveiled in 1999 by the Queen and now adorns the promenade in the comedian’s hometown of Morecambe.

During their years in Blackpool the pair entertained hundreds of thousands of people, playing at seven theatres, six summer seasons and enjoying a starring role in the 1955 Royal Variety Performance at the Winter Gardens.

More than 3,000 people enjoyed a thrilling day of racing as Carlisle’s Halloween Family Fun Day proved a Monster Smash.

Ghosts, ghouls and vampires gathered at the Durdar course as Cumbria’s most prestigious National Hunt meeting doubled as a spooky party for racegoers young and old.

While families dressed up and got into the spirit, on the track spectators were treated to a sensational day of jumps racing.

Sandy Thomson’s Seeyouatmidnight produced a thrilling display of jumping to get the better of Bristol De Mai in an enthralling Colin Parker Intermediate Memorial Chase (Class 1).

Jockey Brian Hughes described the ride as “like driving a Ferrari” and Thomson may now look to enter the eight-year-old in March’s Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Elsewhere on the card, local favourite Carrigdhoun (12-1), stabled in nearby Brampton, held off a late finish by Cultram Abbey to land the Racing Free Bets At bookies.com Handicap Chase. It was the 11-year-old’s second win in as many races at his home track.

Gurkha Brave (12-1) led three fences from home in registering his third course success while Brian Ellison’s seven-year-old Definitly Red (11-4) kept on to win by three and a quarter lengths from Onefitzall.

There were also wins for Dubai or Not Dubai, Western Wave and Two Taffs.

A series of Halloween trails and games were set up and enjoyed by young racegoers.

Geraldine McKay, Carlisle Racecourse’s General Manager, said: “It was a great day both on and off the track.

“We enjoyed a wonderful day of racing and it was great to see the course packed with so many families enjoying our Halloween Fun Day. The fancy dress costumes were brilliant, people put real effort into their scary looks.

“We are really proud to put on top class National Hunt racing here at Carlisle and once again we proved what a great day out a day at the races is for families.”

The next meeting at Carlisle is on Monday November 7th. Gates open at 11.50am, first race 1.50pm, last race 4pm.